State goes to Court to reclaim Dharubaaruge from Male

The State has filed a case to Civil Court, to reclaim Dharubaaruge from Male’ City Council.

State Prosecutor Moosa Naseer presented his case at Civil Court today, and said that Male’ City Council had disregarded repeated notifications to transfer Dharubaaruge to Housing Ministry.

He said that the Cabinet had made the decision to reclaim block 344 where Dharubaaruge is located, and the legal procedures necessary to do so had been completed, as per the regulations on the assignment of State land plots to Councils.

Moosa requested for a Court Order to coerce Male’ City Council to transfer Dharubaaruge to Housing Ministry.

He said that the government has the authority to reclaim areas if the Cabinet makes the decision that land plots are required for economic, social and national security purposes as part of government policy.

Lawyer representing City Council, Mohamed Fareed asked which policy changes this decision by the Cabinet is based on.

In response, the State Prosecutor said that the Cabinet’s decision that a land plot is required by the State for the execution of its policies, should mean that the land plot should be handed over to the government.

He highlighted moreover, that the Agreement made on 19 September 2011 between the State and City Council for the assignment of Dharubaaruge to City Council, states that block 344 where Dharubaaruge is located, belongs to the State.

Civil Court Judge Ali Rasheed concluded today’s session by allowing City Council the chance to respond to the claims at the next session.